What Your Favorite Baldur's Gate 3 Character Says About You - Part 2

[@TransIsBest]

If you kill Haarlep, speak with dead, and ask him if Raphael liked to top or bottom, he says "Bottom, NEVER top" LMAO

[@DannyPhantomexe]

bro took “go fuck urself” literally

[@Allison_Hart]

how do you bottom for yourself if you're a bottom, wouldn't both of you just be sitting there like "🥺👉👈" (ik Harleep is a bit different but it's still funny to think about)

[@9angeleyes]

…bottom-ception?

[@Allison_Hart]

@@9angeleyes I imagine it's possible that both people would become adamant enough about being the bottom, that it could turn into an argument. And then they both become dominant in the heat of the argument.

[@elmondo-s1e]

I mean, that checks out with the stereotype right? Utter control freak 24/7 except in the sack, wants to be dominated… by a copy of himself lmaooo

[@iwantunalive8353]

My girlfriend said Gortash was hot and now I am questioning every compliment I have received from her if THAT is the bar.

[@monbub]

Oh no 😭😭 I'd be low-key offended

[@Reasonable_Cheese]

damn bro. I'm sorry.☠🪦

[@tinyfreckle]

It's the voice. He's voiced by Lucius Malfoy.

[@CatgirltheCrazy]

One factor behind Gortash and Raphael's popularity that i think you overlooked: their sexy, sexy voices. Raphael's voice has that delightful Jeremy-Irons-as-Scar purring quality to it, and every line he says feels like a cat talking to its food while toying with it. As for Gortash, they got Jason fucking Isaacs, man. He's played Lucius Malfoy, Admiral Zhao, the Grand Inquisitor-the man's a master of making one dimensional mustache twirling villains sound sexy.

[@elektraeriseros]

JASON ISAACS IS IN THIS GAME?!?!

[@captainChernihiv]

Yes, this is the correct take.

[@osets2117]

I THOUGHT THAT VOICE SOUNDED FAMILIAR, that man is a treasure

[@banjanja5705]

Yeeeeep Gortash looks like he smells because he showered maybe three weeks ago But then his VOICE ooooh god 🥵

[@heartfunk2429]

As a gortash girlie I'm denying that. I thought he was sexy before I heard his voice. I just think he's pretty and I feel bad for him :(

[@amandadiamond7147]

Someone described Gortash as final fantasy protagonist going through a mid-life crisis and if that wasn't atleast a little bit intentional, I'll be a little disappointed because damn, I can't unsee it.

[@amandadiamond7147]

My first thought when I came across Gale was Bioware Boyfriend a la Alistar or Anders. Astarion is what if Twilight and 50 Shades, but they actually get what people like about those two things.

[@LizzieShiro]

I have called Gortash “discount Noctis” and I still feel bad to make that comparison. Noctis deserves better.

[@amandadiamond7147]

@LizzieShiro haven't gotten far enough to meet him in game myself, but I'm getting a Squall/Lightning vibe.

[@Nachtelfin0des0Todes]

My literal reaction when I saw the 3 was "Who invited these Final Fantasy rejects in my game?"

[@birdnotcage]

​​@@amandadiamond7147 YES i have a theory that almost all players that romanced Alistair then romanced Anders. And then Cullen. And then Gale. On the other hand, we have Zevran/Fenris/Dorian/Astarion kinda people... (which of i am, lol)

[@rc4780]

I honestly love Jaheira just because of her old lady energy. Not to get too Drinker, but in a world of flawless MCU/DCU/Netflix women, Jaheira is a breath of fresh air. She will joke about her age, comment on how physically and emotionally tired she is, she approves of Tav poking fun at her, she has a complicated relationship with her children, and she is still scarred by the loss of her husband and it matters to BG3. But, she is also kind, thoughtful, extremely pragmatic, and strong. She is honestly such an amazingly realised character that I actually have no notes.

[@RuefulCenturion]

GMILF

[@chad8767]

Agreed! I love Jaheira, to me, she is a lighter Lae'zel, just as dedicated and determined and made of steel, and like Lae'zel, many consider her to be funny for her people (harpers).

[@somewhat-blue]

The fact that Jaheira is the one who found Khalid’s body after he was tortured to death is one of those pieces of character information that permanently altered my brain chemistry

[@violetskies14]

I agree so much!!! I love her. She reminds me of my grandma and I love joking around and teasing her. She is one of my favourite characters and I just wish we got to see more of her before act 3.

[@Macabrellian]

@@somewhat-blue God, right?? I have such vivid memories of playing through that scene for the first time as a kid over twenty years ago. Jaheira is amazing.

[@MaddyRose1998]

Kethric used to worship Seluné also. Then his beloved wife and daughter died and it sent him in a crisis of faith. The pain drove him to Shar sending him down his spiral. I really love this character. You can almost talk him out of the final battle because the good man he used to be is still in there, but he is too far gone.

[@TransIsBest]

I was about to mention this, him and Isobel actually had a pretty good relationship that was only strained when Aylin came into the picture. It was after his daughter's death that he began to spiral

[@violadordepeluches5992]

I do love being able to talk sense into him just for Aylin to come flying and talking shit yo ketheric

[@DannyPhantomexe]

thank you for the clarification! i completely forgot to mention this!!

[@Zedvais]

Also in his loot is the sweet letter he always kept. I just wish the game would let me give that letter to isobel and see her reaction that he was just too far gone but he is the man who loves his family still deep down inside.

[@amaday6077]

​​@@ZedvaisPersonally, I don't think it's love for him anymore. It becomes clear when you give Isobel to Marcus. An interesting kind of love.. Making your own daughter a puppet. He just wants to control Isobel now, however he pleases. And that line, "Aylin, you stole Isobel from me"... what the heck? That's at least strange. Ketheric is not the same anymore and won't become who he was in the past. And on this, I completely agree with Isobel. There is no love there, neither on the outside nor on the inside.

[@thecheck968]

People who think Orin is boring hasn't played the Dark Urge and spent an entire week psychoanalyzing her as a dark mirror to you the player who has done unspeakable things to you, but but somehow you don't feel any malice towards her because of what she has accidentally given you in return

[@atinity6749]

Also while having Minthara as companion/love interest gives you more insight into Orin, and also if you uncover the secret of Orin's parentage and confront her with it, she completely loses it and goes in full denial. It's really sad actually 😢 I wish me and her could just be siblings together and leave our abusive dad!

[@eliasapollo4131]

The orin durge dynamic is sooo compelling. Orin as the usurper, the little sister, the eternal second favourite, who never stood a chance to begin with

[@BlazeDupree1525]

Straight up, she got us out of a gross relationship with Gortash and got us together with our vampire hubby. 🥰

[@AmazOrgadak]

She’s not boring by any means, I actually feel really bad for her. Hell her whole family needs some help jesus. But lemme tell you when I say that I just keep seething for taking our Githyaki. Orin you butthole..

[@GgG-do6xm]

@@eliasapollo4131I think DU is younger than Orin. Which is why she’s so upset that Du is raised by a butler while she basically had to raise herself. Mind you ,before urge her father was raising her to be the next bhaal spawn since her mother failed to kill her. Imagine having something promised to you because the person you thought was your dad had another child. While your actual dad doesn’t even claim you and pretends to be your mentor.

[@JuiceofApple107]

I personally like last minute redemption durge. “I’m going to murder everyone on MY terms Dad!”

[@nocturnalcove9736]

Funny thing about Raphael and Haarlep is that their actor, Andrew Wincott, really wants them to be romance options. In one interview he RP'd a date between Raph and Tav and stated he likes the modding community and what they have done. Raphael might be a narcissist who literally sleeps with himself, but in this game where you can literally fix people, he would be perfect. Plus I bet to an incubus, everyone is bad in bed... Side note: If you're making a part 3, please include Zevlor and Rolan! Zevlor is the real DILF and Rolan is for those who are still in their Mr. Darcy phase.

[@DeathSurgeonKid]

Rattling on the bars of my enclosure for a Raphael romance. I wish they would add that! 🙏😫

[@meikurai]

DAMMON TOO THAT MAN SAVED KARLACH

[@BillieChaosCat]

Yes! DAMMON!! ​@@meikurai

[@ashleyno7481]

I'm catching strays with that Rolan comment, goddamn 😂

[@nocturnalcove9736]

@@meikurai Dammon is the school crush you never grew out of because they were your neighbour!

[@thedrawer2379]

for raphael... hes basically an evil disney villian bard, since he SINGS HIS OWN BOSS FIGHT SONG. and hes stupidly petty too so thats a bonus 😍😍

[@lumare]

Minsc dopily explaining in camp to Jahiera that she's the closest thing to a holy witch from his culture and that's why he loves to protect her was so adorably fucking himbo.

[@werecattt]

Ok as a fan of Gortash, his parallels to characters like Karlach and Astarion and speculating about details of his past like his relationship with Raphael and Durge really made me interested in his character. While he is a irredeemable bastard I find his journey to that point to be the fun part. Also Jason Issacs

[@Tomcat_Centauri]

Reason number 01 people like Gortash : Jason Isaacs Like, people underestimate how much someone's voice can make them attractive 😆

[@ArieiDelmonte]

​@@Tomcat_Centauri First playthrough I was "love Jason but blech on Gortash". Then I played Durge and he got all flirty in Jason's voice and I was like "well, I love him now"

[@SaturnaliaRhys]

I like Gortash because he has a great kick-a-puppy backstory. He was sold into hell by his own parents when he was 8 as a slave just so they could pay off some debt. He was housed in the jail of the House of Hope, where he would get beaten up every day by the warden - "I used to bruise my knuckles on his whimpering little face". He resorts to praying to any deity he knows and the only one who answers his prayers is Bane, and after over a decade (or two... depending on how old you think Gortash is) he escapes. Bane demands him in return for his freedom to take over rule and spread tyranny anywhere he can manage. Apparently, Baldur's Gate wasn't enough, as if you cast speak with dead on Gortash after he passes, Bane picks up the phone "I sold my soul style" and informs you that Gortash isn't here right now, "As he is already suffering at my hands, like all those who disappoint me". I also consider him very even-tempered, reasonable, and smart (the dude literally has 20 int).

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Kind of glad none of the gods answered Astarion's prayers after seeing the parallels in Gortash. It's frankly sad that there was no way out for him but to become worse and worse and hope that he succeeds against all heroes who would inevitably try to stop him. Needless to say, the fanfiction potential is huge, especially with the implied relationship with Durge.

[@dexmods8055]

the writing for all the characters in BG3 is so well thought out and painfully realistic with some; can't relate to Gortash since i haven't personally been through half the horrors he had to have endured... but my heart aches for him, y'know? man just needs a hug

[@sabsain2399]

​@@ANPC-pi9vu I believe Astarion deep down isn't truly evil. He would also not want to be bound to another master/god

[@imaginaryguide1895]

@@sabsain2399 I agree, but also Astarion would do it to get out. He's more than willing to take the tadpole powers and deal with the consequences on the other side. (Before the extra-shiny tadpole and some self-esteem, that is. I don't know what his reply would be if you made him drink the drow blood.)

[@DriftingLightOfTheWoods]

I adore Minsc. He was introduced right when I was getting quite overwhelmed with everything I had to do sitting on my questroll, so I go into his recruitment conversation kind of trying to process and prioritise what I need to get on with next in my head, and then just; Tav: it's an honor. Minsc: No, it's a hamster. I laughed for like five minutes straight 🤣hands down my favorite conversation in the game

[@MKanakaredes]

> Danny telling shit about Gortash > "I already like him, you don't have to sell him to me more"

[@eliasapollo4131]

"He's evil and vile and kills puppies for profit" *durge voice* promise?

[@RuefulCenturion]

I don't like Gortash as a person, but I like him as a evil villain. He's voiced by Jason Isaacs, so he's got a good voice, smooth talker, and pragmatic and willing to partner with you, plus his style is great. The dude is very confident and charismatic.

[@snager80]

Gortash was such a good villain, I was actually extremely let down by how we had to deal with him. i keep thinking that if I'd been un disguise at yhe circus, the news paper would have nver turned against us, then, we could arrest Gortash and force him to watch public opinion turn against him. put him in the stocks. 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅 🍅

[@sophia-fuckthehandlesystem]

The draw to Gortash isn't his appearance, but his relationship if you are the dark urge. It is fucking tragically beautiful. Also how his backstory is a subversion of the idea of breaking the cycle of abuse since his view on the value of human life has been shaped by people like Raphael who literally use them as currency. Edit: FUCK THE DURGE ONE CALLED ME OUT

[@MooCow765]

Exactly! He’s an awful person and I hate what he did to poor Karlach, but I love the relationship dynamic he has with durge. I also think he’s a great reputation of what can happen to people who aren’t able to/don’t escape the cycle of abuse, he went from a hurt child to someone who hurts people and it’s tragic and I love it

[@TheSwedishPajas]

I honestly just think the danger of bullying Raphael is REALLY exciting? Like, it’s really funny to be a lil shit to him and possibly make him angry but like, JUST barely make him angry? There’s just something about his desperation to make deals with you and his confident lil “oh you’ll come back in the end, you WILL.” attitude that’s so fun to play around with, like, you HAVE the upper hand in this exchange wether he’s a devil or not cus he KEEPS coming back to beg for deals even if he plays it off all cool and collected like he’s not that desperate, you know? But then he also IS in fact as powerful as he plays it off and could REALLY mess you up for eternity if you get on his bad side, which makes it even more exciting? I guess what I’m getting from actually writing this down is that interacting with him is like gambling (which also makes sense) and it’s oddly addicting to me for that reason- 🤔 High risk, high reward, and all that. And besides that, as a fellow vain person, I can’t help but adore him for his own vanity alone 😔

[@samisasmidgenpsycho]

Okay, hang on, (climbs on soap box) I need to defend my man Gortash for a sec. First of all, the man is phenomenally smart. His plan is exceptional, and he executes it so incredibly well. Sure, you could argue Durge came up with the majority of it, but Durge DISAPPEARED. He took things into his own hands and everything went swimmingly. The single flaw in the plan is the origin group, who get plot armour. The ONLY reason we survive him (or the brain) is because we're the main characters. He could have obliterated us if he wanted to, as could the brain. The man is insanely powerful and calculated. Second, he is so. Ridiculously. Charismatic. The man's words might as well be tempered chocolate. He just exudes such confidence and rizz. He may be evil, but he could sell ice to an Eskimo. And that's even considering that he looks like the lead of the opening band for MCR. Third, are we forgetting that the man was SOLD TO RAPHAEL AS A CHILD? Of course he's gonna be a bit messed up and evil. He went the route of "You will suffer as I did" with Karlach, sure. And it's not excusable. But it explains his choices a lot, and even Karlach feels sorry for him. Fourth, he's a chad. He absolutely intends to share the glory with you if you join him, and he doesn't tolerate weak links. He is unerringly loyal, and that makes him very strict about what constitutes a betrayal. If he wasn't evil, he'd be actual marriage material. And finally, he could snap me like dry spaghetti and I would ask when the second date was. (Steps off soap box)

[@eliasapollo4131]

Swimmingly? Like a parent saving their drowning child, perhaps? On that note, fifth: the unhinged fucking franc peartree letters. They live in my head rent free. What is WRONG with that man (affectionate)

[@LizzieShiro]

Gortash’s design literally makes me think he’s in his 40s. It’s that 5:00 shadow of his. Evil has aged that man HORRIBLY.

[@Kal-213]

He truly has succumbed to the power of the DARK SIDE

[@Perepeteia]

He isn't?👀👀my my and that's on why you should be kind and make skincare, not steel watchers

[@monbub]

Evil is known to do that to people

[@anna-friedavandyk]

I don't actually like Gortash as a person- but I'm the first to admit I subscribe to the idea he and durge were boning before they got memory bonked. Because it adds more spice I will also play Durge over Tav any day too- not alon there Danny XD

[@taylorshutup]

i agree!! i lowk wish gortash was a love interest for durge i feel like that would be a cool concept to see in the game

[@MooCow765]

I really wish you could romance gortash as durge, because I too subscribe to the fact they were at least boning, and I think it’d be a great cherry to put on top an evil run

[@captainChernihiv]

Raphael is also a pathetic meow meow. Begs you for a deal the entire game then gets murked in his own house while calling for his daddy. I love him.

[@khanlusa]

I can agree that Orin isn't the most nuanced character, HOWEVER. I think there is at least some depth there regarding how she feels about her position in life when the exuberance of being God's (Kind of) Favourite Princess falls away, especially with the way she reacts to what you can tell her about her mother, and how the way she was brought up in the cult absolutely did a number on her (not to mention her family members behaviour). Plus, there's a devnote somewhere (I can't remember rn) that hints she also tried to escape the cult like A Certain Someone Else, which to me sounds like some part of her knows this is wrong and wants to leave. Ultimately, I think she just wants to be loved, but her idea of how to get that has been dictated by /Bhaal/ so... RIP

[@smellycatbutts]

Meh, she was born to be sacrificed, and I'm more than happy to help her fulfill her life's purpose.

[@tillylolac8256]

yeah. Also she just really enjoys torturing and slaughtering folk

[@eeveenyx3745]

Raphael is my favorite because having to read Paradise Lost in college at the same time as my… gay awakening, if you will, left me with some a strange and intense attraction for Lucifer that gradually turned into a thing for devils period. I’m also pretty into Mizora for the same reason. No, I’m not bi for humans. Just devils. Edit: yes I went to Catholic school

[@somewhat-blue]

Oh friend … you didn’t need to edit that, we knew. 😂

[@eeveenyx3745]

@@somewhat-bluelmao that is entirely fair. I really did give myself away in the first part 😂

[@chad8767]

I love how he is written, like in so many games the "devil's bargain" is just something to give you a power up or something. But in BG3 he finds your story hooks and honestly tempts you with them. Playing a Githyanki on Voss's side, I really wanted to sign the contract to free the trapped Githyanki.

[@lari2804]

Ah, religious trauma 😂❤

[@mariaelisapaiva]

Ohhh, boy! I feel you! Also went to Catholic School. No wonder we go for the devil's xD Guess that's also why I was so obsessed with Hazbin Hotel.

[@jack0slack]

Favourite villain is easily Auntie Ethel. She's got a clear motivation, she's wonderfully over-acted and has a great two act structure that gives her solid resolution. Also her act 1 fight is one of the best in the game.

[@thedandywarlocks3996]

Oh she's fabulous

[@monbub]

Her fight had me slamming my head on my keyboard bc of how hard it was. Not even her phase, mostly the fight with her minions. God, that was annoying.

[@jack0slack]

@@monbub And yet the minions can be completely skipped! The fight with her turned into a cakewalk! (Granted if you do that all the clever tricks it throws at you go away but still.)

[@bandit_of_trash]

Orin is great if you're doing a durge playthrough but I agree that she does fall a bit flat if you're just playing a regular Tav. Durge playthroughs are just so great because Gortash and Orin are linked to your Durge character which makes them more interesting, they feel like they have a place in the story and aren't necessarily just random villains.

[@marks2807]

Raphael is basically the Disney villain of the game. Dude literally sings his own theme like any respectable Disney villain.

[@eckat5]

ITS BECAUSE GORTASH SEES POTENTIAL IN ME, OKAY????

[@MorriganJade]

4:50 Only the liver and kidneys? Wow, that was really gracious of you! I was more thinking of

[@wolfriver9993]

Don't forget about the heart, I bet she'd love to display the heart, or eat it...

[@embertea789]

he said that and i was like damn she must REALLY like you if thats all she does lmao

[@zambspook]

I saw this on Tumbler, and it's hella accurate. "Gortash looks like a final fantasy character going through a midlife crisis"

[@monbub]

Nooo that's so true bye It's mainly the stupid anime hair and his cool outfit, but man I hate his face so much

[@roamingjay7110]

To be completely honest, I only like Gortash when playing as my Dark Urge, and that’s because of the history between them. The letters he wrote to/about Durge tell you a lot about how he felt about them. He has a pretty compelling story if you’re willing to look for it. Outside of Durge’s perspective, though, my favorite characters are Astarion, Karlach, Gale, and Damon.

[@emperortime4380]

I don’t see how anyone can like Gortash after what he did to Karlach.

[@caffeinatedpeanutbutter]

Karlach has nothing compelling about her. No change, no potential for growth. What's interesting about that?

[@emperortime4380]

@@caffeinatedpeanutbutter Lies and slander. My tav joined the blood war just to prolong her life. Have you seen the speech she gives when Gortash dies and she feels no satisfaction in revenge? She has this raw emotional breakdown at how nothing she does can halt her oncoming death and then she finally comes to terms with facing her worst fear to be with Tav (or Wyll, depending on other choices)

[@gr3ml1ngutz71]

The only reason I actually like him is his relationship with dark urge, because both of them are awful and horrible people that had a tragic relationship and their hubris ended up being their downfall. But outside of that?? Hate him, he's irredeemable and the cycle of abuse continued after his parents but he took it way too far LMAO

[@eliasapollo4131]

I mean you can like characters while knowing they're awful people. Good person =/= good character. Orin, Gortash and pre game durge are all fucking awful but in interesting ways yk

[@nickrubin7312]

He thinks that he gave Karlach a "gift" of understanding what suffering and misery is. He legit does. Not justifying it, just saying, he thinks that way.

[@Error404_LucidDreamer]

My thing with Durge is similar for my thing with Astarion. I like to help people. I like to be people’s safe space. I like to be their rock. And I like to help them become better people. So with Durge I was immediately like, fuck it we are gonna help this mf be better. I think the one playthrough I did where I wasn’t like ‘good’ was when I got ascended Astarion and CAN YOU BLAME ME.

[@embertea789]

im literally doing two durge runs simultaneously, one good one evil. both romancing astarion to get that sweet sweet "we can grow together" story AND the "we can make each other so much worse" story. its hype im enjoying it so much

[@mistress_of_the_dark380]

Me too😂😂😂😂​@@embertea789

[@monbub]

@@embertea789 That sounds fun! But...how many hours do you have in the game bc that sounds like it'd take a hella long time to play

[@embertea789]

@@monbub 550 hours 😬 tbf 200ish of those hours were from early access years ago. But I've only ever finished one playthrough 😅 it was 90something hours. The rest of those hours......probably all stopping and starting and restarting again and again 😅😅😅

[@redhoodieguy9977]

I absolutely love ketheric as a character, easily in my top 3. The writers and jk Simmons popped off with him, he's such a badass and an amazing villain

[@ashgalactica94]

I think Orin is way more interesting than you gave her credit. For me, as someone with pretty severe religious trauma, I could really empathize with her. Thankfully, I didn't grow up in a murder cult and develop a habit of slaughtering people, but I did grow up in a horrendously bigoted evangelical church that socially and emotionally cannibalized anyone who didn't fit into their idea of what a person should be. So, I understand the dark place where her overcommitment to her god and desperation for approval and to simply be loved in return stems from. I found her heartbreaking and horrifying all at once, which is a hallmark of a cool character in my book. Sure, she can wax dramatic at times, but her characterization resonated with me. Not to mention, her character design is *chef's kiss*

[@FlyMeUpSoHigh]

Tbh the attraction to Raphael is that he's so cocky and confident that you just want to piss him off by stabbing his ego. Like take him down a few notches.

[@4dromeda]

You forgot Cazador! I would be genuinely interested to know how much you can roast him 😂

[@eliasapollo4131]

Orin and Gortash are so much more compelling when you play Dark Urge. Especially Orin. She's such a sad, deeply tragic character. Messed up family dynamics my beloved

[@ahoura2721]

6:15 evil DILF who will destroy the whole word for his wife and daughter EXCUSE ME

[@monbub]

But he's homophobic 😭

[@MrGhost-fe4tc]

When it comes to Orin I think that’s she has some deeper more interesting stuff going on. While yes at this point in her life she is a psychopathic killer who only wants death but I do thinks she functions as kind of a dark mirror for shadowheart or even minthara. A person brought up in an environment where the encouraged behavior was based around torture, lies, and killing with no good role models or people to genuinely support them. Her own mother (who is also her sister btw Serevok is disgusting) tried to kill her when she was very young on the orders of her grandfather-father, and her grandfather-father (yes serevok is that) groomed her to become someone only interested in killing purely for his own fucked up reasons. Honestly there is part of me that wonders if there was a moment where she became the psycho she is as a result of the fucked situation serevok out her in. She was also someone in constant danger too, through all her life Serevok was probably trying to kill her ritualistically not to mention being in the temple of bhaal probably merit such things. Id like to think she became the monster she is today by the child she had been being slow burned away by everyone around her. Her being the incest baby of the god of murder probs didn’t help either tho

[@879SCSP]

Orin and Gortash really become 100% more interesting when you play as Durge because you realize two things: Orin and Durge are just two kids trying to appeal to daddy in the worst way possible and Durge and Gortash were speedrunning romeo and juliet in the middle of that.

[@olanowicka7681]

I like Gortash mainly due to his past with Dark Urge (I could write a book about why their story is so beautiful and tragic if you see them as lovers) but this man got my respect when after so many people who tried to trick you (Mizora, the Emperor, Raphael ect) he offers you a deal and honors it to the very end. No strings attached. You can literally read his mind during the coronation scene and he really plans to treat you as someone equal, not as his pawn. YOU break his trust if you later choose to go to the Iron Throne. I kinda felt guilty about it. And there is also his backstory about being sold to the devil himself. He continues the cycle with selling Karlach to Zariel - tying him to one of the themes of BG3. That being said he is still evil, he puts bombs in children's toys. But you know, you can like villains without the need to justify every action they make. Own that your favorite characters are messed up villains.

[@lucaklipp7302]

Did Danny just indirectly call himself a bottom and a brat or did I hallucinate that

[@rulerofzeuniverse]

I like Gortash cuz evil power couple with my Durge 🥺

[@rulerofzeuniverse]

Also Genova conventions more like Genova suggestions

[@OtakuSeikatsuTamashi]

...Imma make a random confession here. I only ever wanted to play Dark Urge because I couldn't eat the Dwarf meat at the goblin camp as a regular character. I only acted on it after accidently skipping Moon Rise Towers and realizing I had overwritten my last save. 100+ hours down the drain, but getting to eat that dwarf made it all better.

[@siriuslyt]

All was well with my mental state but then Jaheira called me “cub”… I’m questioning my life ever since

[@AmuletRebel]

To be fair, the only reason I like Gortash even a little bit is because of what you learn from a Dark Urge run. They had a partnership for a good decade before the events of the game, with it heavily being implied they had a mutual respect for one another with an undertone of hinting at romance. It's a classic forbidden love story of two people with warring gods, similar to your player and Shadowheart if you choose to be a Selune cleric. And I love to gnaw on those tropes like a rabid dog with a bone.

[@Sticky_KeysTherian]

*BOW DOWN TO ME PEASANTS*

[@whatisausername7679]

well i personally like orin and gortash because of the fucked relationships they had with durge pre-game (go ahead and call me delusional, you are right) oh and because orin is sexy when she murders people

[@TheRoseWolf]

Oh no no, you're not delusional. The implications are so up in the player's face about the previous relationship Durge had with Gortash that the only way you could somehow miss it is if you were denser than an igneus rock.

[@eliasapollo4131]

You're absolutely not delusional! "Forgive me father for I cannot help but admire the chosen of your sworn foe" come ON. Also hmmm the additional patch 6 durge and gortash content? Intriguing

[@whatisausername7679]

@@eliasapollo4131 hold up patch 6 has new durge and gortash content? fuck yeah

[@eliasapollo4131]

@@whatisausername7679 YEAH. there's extra narration about him missing the way the two used to tease and test each other, and you can tell him that you think you liked him as well, and as a reaction he will hesitate to turn against you (after you sacked the iron throne). It's sooo insane I am rotating it in my brain like a microwave

[@whatisausername7679]

@@eliasapollo4131 omg they're making me so insane good lord

[@mstrs_skz]

YES I NEEDED ANOTHER PART!😭🫰🏼🙌🫶🏼

[@WildWolfGod]

THE FUCKING SNAPCUBE AUDIO FOR RAPHAEL

[@VincentEdelstein]

RIGHT

[@galacticspacebabe6968]

I love the reaction dudes get with Gortash, they're so offended by his very existence. And his fans just hold up the potato and go 'I just think he's neat!'

[@alexmatthews3419]

Gortash and Orin are only In my head rotating around like rotisserie chickens because of the dark urge playthrough. they are both objectively bad people. you were too. You've scars in your heart body and brain from both of them. Gortash was the first person who saw you could do more than your fathers will. If you tell him that you're overcoming Bhaal he'll be so proud of you. the Durge had a religious crisis of faith so powerful it allowed the netherbrain to use Orin to Usurp them. The relationship was doomed. it doomed you both. It killed both whoever the durge was before, and ultimately him too. Personally a walking red flag of a dirtbag man. but perfect for a Spicy as fuck backstory filled with emotional turmoil over the missing holes in your memory , the shape of it, and the way you get inextricably drawn back to the start. To either fix it yourself, or to reclaim your throne. You can side with him, try and control the brain together, and he will be killed by the brain (his mind will be collapsed). It will all be for nothing. You begged your father that he would of course be killed but Later, still later, but it won't matter anyway. Emotionally, compelling. Esp if you're then romancing a super ambitious good guy whose personal beauty standards are fucking lacking and like seeks power over all else like huh I wonder why im drawn to this man. and ORIN is /fascinating/ to learn about both from Minthara (i highly recommend redoing ketheric fight with her if you've never seen her dialogue about moonrise!) and as the Durge As for Ketheric, you've also missed something that is not adequately explained (and also potentially can feed into the Halsin dirt I would like to spread). He was NOT always a servant of shar, (and he wasn't a cleric, man was a paladin, you can find that stuff in his rooms in moonrise and in grymforge). rather, a very long time ago, some point after his wife Melodia, a worshiper of selune, died, Halsin fucking murdered Isobel. The "sorrow" spear's lore and the note used to explicitly spell this out, that it was cursed when he killed a cleric of selune in the now-shadowcursed lands, which is why he feels a level of personal responsibility for what happened to the shadow-cursed lands. Isobel's murder is the point where Ketheric turned to Shar. He formed the Dark Justiciers, kidnapped Aylin, etc. etc. But for all of Shar's power, all the ways he served, she never brought him peace. Ultimately the druids and harpers killed him, but the land was cursed with his death, but he obvi didn't die. He crawled out of the ground, the earth itself tearing itself apart, isobel still dead, her murderer literally one of the people in the party that rolled up to kill him. And myrkul chose him bc of his undying nature, his servitude to his goddess. and Myrkul promised him what shar never could: isobel's life returned. He's not being a better father, I'd argue that much of this is wholly selfish. A desire to have everything and be spared nothing. Tragic in the way Macbeth is.

[@DayDreamerLXXXXIII]

In defense of Orin, she's basically just an origin character that didn't have the luck of being recruited into the party. Her character origins pretty directly mirror / parallel Shadowheart & Lae'zel (and obviously the Durge, although they came into it later iirc). She's also was the victim of abuse from a divine (or psuedo divine in Lae'zel's case) being and raised in a cult like environment / society that molds, gaslights, and abuses her into being the person her abuser wants her to be. Some of the Dev notes for her are pretty interesting, but you can also basically get her to kind of a similar place to the Shadowheart / Lae'zel realization too, as you can find out the truth by using speak with the dead on her mother and find out the truth, and confront Orin with it in the lead up to the duel. She doesn't really get the chance to turn away from Bhaal though, as if you do that, Bhaal basically kills her by forcibly transforming her into the Slayer form against her will. I guess my point being that she's very much a victim of circumstance and if some of the party members were dealt a slightly different hand some of the party members could have ended up in a pretty similar situation / end, and if Orin was dealt a different hand she could have been an Origin character / party member. So I find it easy to kind of empathize / sympathize with her ... also she's scary and hot (not that I'd say she's my favorite character).

[@demonderpz7937]

Danny, my boi, I do not like characters due to having redeeming qualities. I like characters due to feeling believable. If someone seems to be twisted in a way I could genuinely see happening to a person in a similar situation, I often find myself drawn to that type of character. There is no higher moral calling to the beings I find fondness for in media :)

[@heartfunk2429]

The one redeeming quality about Gortash is how much he loves Durge. I think it's the cutest, sweetest, most precious thing. LOOK AT HIS EYES!!! LOOK AT THEM!!! PUPPY DOG EYES!!! He as the most love-struck, most "I'd die for you and gods if you wanted it I'd LIVE for you", most "please just kiss me and let me forget anything is wrong" expression on his face it's so SO sweet. I'm of the opinion that Durge could very well fix him, and that literally ONLY Durge could fix him. He'd still be an evil bastard but I think he could channel it better. Find a way to break away from Bane. I could write an entire ESSAY on that fluffy haired unwashed greasy tyrant about how good of a villain he is and how all of his actions are internally justified and I WILL IF PROVOKED

[@brianadoesart5195]

***Haarlep, Not Harleep - the name is literally just Raphael's name rearranged. It's just another detail of the "Raphael is so full of himself and narcissistic that his incubus is literally named after him, just altered." -- love that the Shadow the Hedgehog dub audio has spread so far that people use it as their meme description of Raphael, lmaooooo. Snapcube, you have reached the peak of the internet.

[@brianadoesart5195]

But also, no to Mizora, lmao. She's so nasty to Wyll and as Wyll lover, I cannot STAND her. Hate herrrrrrr

[@6butterCatz]

Already on my knees... Bowing to the rightful king...

[@ECHOECHOECHOECHOECHOO]

on my knees for him 🙏

[@KarolZiom]

For me Minsc is my favorite because I had him in my party since Baldur's Gate 1. I've seen how his witch died in BG2 and that made him the true rage machine he is now but still being a guy with a heaet of gold. He is just best bro ever.

[@ChasingDeathbeds]

Orin isn’t wearing blood my guy……SHE’S WEARING SOME POOR GIRL’S SKIN IN A TWISTED SKINSUIT SITUATION

[@fontwego2059]

Dark Urge is just really cool. You get so much extra lore throughout the game because of it. Plus it's fun to go ALL IN on being a psycho, it actually adds quite a bit of dialogue. Like after kill a certain person (don't want to spoil anything) if you have Minthara in your party she'll basically be like "why did you do that? That didn't benefit us in any way." And all that extra dialogue is cool.

[@Quanxi_eatsrocks]

I like Raphael because his fight song absolutely SLAPS OMFG

[@astaricn]

I love raphael but not bc of his personality. Andrew gave a insane performance and especially Raphael’s final act is totally one of the best pieces of eargasm that has ever existed.

[@owenw.1643]

gortash is one of my favorite characters because his backstory is absolutely fascinating. the man is clearly so deeply tramatized from a lifetime of abuse and hides all of it out of fear of looking weak. plus the absolutely tragic doomed romance between him and durge is enthralling, thats some romeo and juliet type shit but even better because they're both soooo evil (also he's so sexy. whoah who said that)

[@BingingWithBrooks]

GREENDAY GORTASH PLEASE IM CRYING LEAVE MY BBYGURL ALONE

[@kaylinhendrich4673]

There is one good thing about Gortash: he dies

[@Misora7303]

By my hand ❤

[@muffininthehizzy]

I fucking love Raphael

[@alyssa5173]

Same girl

[@typerberry2741]

Ketheric just has such a good backstory, he has an amazing voice actor, honestly one of my favorite villains anywhere

[@terryenby2304]

I didn’t get the Gortash appeal until I played through Durge. Definitely not my favourite character, but I think he has appeal. Also, I saw a video of side by side with Tav/Durge and the way his face lights up for Durge… it would make Absolute sense.

[@viscera7674]

My favorite is Malus Thorm. Something about a psycho doctor who's a little too into scalpels just really does it for me. Also the fact that he's undead? Muwah. Icing on the cake. I would let that man do unspeakable things to me

[@Luissera873]

Haarlep isn’t a succubus he’s an incubus

[@disableddragonborn]

"There are so many parental issues in this game!" I mean, yeah, that's like the most common backstory detail for a D&D character, both PC and NPC.

[@schocileo]

As somebody who is oddly fascinated with Gortash.. I agreed with nearly all your comments about him 😂 but, apart from my absolute favorite outfit in this whole game, I am extremely interested in his backstory/childhood, the talk with his parents really caught me offguard. Wish we could have seen more of his and durges past relationship (which is heavily implied was on a deeper level than just an alliance) Saying ketheric got more depth than the other choosen is kinda unfair since he literally got a whole act to build up to his fight, while gortash & orin needed to be squeezed in between the 3445677890 things you have to do in the lower city. I have heard gortash was supposed to get more story in the upper city but they completely cut that out

[@naomimorrison]

one thing i do love about gortash and orin is your biggest complaint that they are evil for no reason not all villians need to be a tragic hero or doing somthing good but doing it the wrong way

[@SimplyMarshmallow18]

I like gortash honestly. He’s attractive and intelligent and even tempered. Also pretty damn funny. I’d romance him if he was an option. Especially on my durge playthrough cause I just KNOW those two were fucking. “You and I always knew we could only stand against the world united.” I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a damn ring in his pocket just waiting to pop the question.

[@liocreates]

If you can use mods, I recommend turning Gale into him. There’s a lot of great parallels in their storylines if you add a little headcanon to smooth over or just ignore the Mystra bits. The voice isn’t awful for him either, though it’s no Jason Isaacs rumble purr. We were robbed of this dark romance, but mods can give us a close-enough lol. That line gets me every time!

[@Aiva]

I love that you can bring up having heard Jaheria's name around and she gets all pissy with a retort of "Yeah, from bards who embellish their damn stories too much. Depending on who you ask I've either slain gods or lain with them." And you can ask with "Sooooo which is it" and she is just. So done with you. xD

[@mizuenaa]

5 mins in and i know this man has not truly played dark urge bc almost anything he has said abt orin is just wrong. orin doesn’t kill for killing’s sake, it is an art form for her and that is why her family disapproves of her and looks down on her. she was raised in the temple of bhaal to not only worship bhaal but sarevok who manipulated and abused her which you can even tell her she was abused and make her question herself for a SECOND which bhaal immediately steps in and basically eliminates her individuality and makes her into a mindless monster. she was desperate for love and attention by her family and even when she replaced durge, she was still never given the worship and appreciation like durge did as bhaal’s chosen. all she knew was murder and nothing else. she anything but one dimensional

[@ActressSarah]

oh man I iwshyou'd included Cazador, that would've been SO funny

[@Inkspeckle]

laughing my ass off at the Gortash bit because it is 100% right. I like him BECAUSE he is irredeemable and just unhinged. The guy is COMPLETELY INSANE. Cartoon villain ass levels of mad scientist. He built his own robot army. He wants to take over the world via a giant evil alien brain. He built a machine he could put pickled brains into and talk to them through an elf's severed head. Why? because he wanted to and no one stopped him. He plays saw games with innocent families. he put worms in his parents' brains to force them to tell him what a good boy he is and how proud they are of him. he looks like a if final fantasy character was dried out in the sun and ran exclusively on a collective 3 hours of sleep in the last ten years and meth. And I fucking love it. EDIT: I should mention. If I met someone even remotely like Gortash IRL I would like nothing more than to grind their teeth into a find powder. I like him because he is a fun character to mess around with, he is like a bond villain to me

[@ellysvet6232]

I agree with most of what you said. A fun fact that you missed out on with gortash is that his parents hate his guts and abused him and gortash used the tadpoles to make them act like they adore him against their will. He's actually quite a fascinating scared and complex character. Bet yes he is straight up a cartoon villain.

[@Ra-ie7he]

I like Gortash, is he my favourite? No, why do i like him? He's funny? Not because he actually is, but because he is so sure his little plan is going to work that it makes him funny. Plus i always steal his clothes. I don't know how many people know this but you can meet his parents and learn that he was sold when he was a child, it adds a little more depth to his character and if you choose to kill Gortash' parents with Karlach in your party she approves so, it's a win win

[@freyadruid]

If you ever do another of these I would love to know what my favorite character says about me: Kar’niss. It’s unfortunate that he has such little screen time, minimally conveyed backstory, and no chance at a full character arch, but he’s a fascinating character to me. Unlike Thorm, he isn’t a god-hopper by arbitrary decision; he was cursed by one goddess and if you put his new goddess (the absolute) to the test, he’s abandoned by her as well. Plus the fractured mind, deepset shame, and chronic prejudice faced would have been a lot of fun to see flushed out by the writers, but definitely leaves a lasting impression along with a litany of unanswered questions.

[@TheSpinningAutismRat]

Let’s go Danny posteddddd anyway we luv baldurs Gate obsessed Danny ❤

[@scoutnbear]

i unironically love gortash. fight me. his whole storyline is so heartbreaking and his relationship with durge is so beautifully tragic. i would die that for that greasy raccoon man. also is it just me but he’s actually kinda fine??

[@Emmelmpau]

Just watched part one a few minutes ago, wondering if this would get continued. Clearly I am a level 20 Divination Archmage.

[@lukeroberson2115]

I agree about Orin being boring, but I find Gortash to actually be pretty interesting. He's genuinely willing to share his power with you even though he could sick his unstoppable Steel Watch on you immediately. And even if you don't immediately accept his deal, he just lets you walk through the city.

[@verkyu]

Jaheira would scold you like a child for spelling her name wrong

[@tripleaarcade]

I before e except in JAHEIRA !! Yep I see it

[@rayathewitch]

Incase you're legit curious Danny: From what I know the people who like gortash (myself included) that i Know, like him bc of the implied backstory with durge and its a shipping thing. Plus his voice, his voice is hot. Theres mods to make him look different / younger (though on tumblr it ends up controversial bc "you dont really like him if you change him" I say if you payed for the game its yours to do w/e tf you want). Basically people like him bc hes a good ship for an evil playthrough like full send unredeemable bhaalist durge. And Raphael is because.. well his poetry, hes attractive, he has a hot voice and he comes off flirty as hell. Again this is great for people who are very into evil playthroughs. Both of them basically are just REALLY good for evil roleplay reasons. And those attracted to them are because of that dynamic its the same kinds of people who love villain romances in romance novels. And people like Haarlep bc of his personality. While there is some for sure who like him for the..scene. Others like his personality what little we see of it. (Myself included I play with full censors on im not into it for that stuff but his personality was kind of playful and charming. I liked it) And yes almost everyone I know who likes these characters also are into Astarion (and Minthara and Orin) 🤣 I'm in a whole villain lover server so I have a lot of experience with the reasons people like the diff villains. And Raphael, Haarlep and Gortash are really common in there. I do not understand Ketheric personally tho even being in that server I dont get it lmao they just scream about him.

[@norskovv]

4:06 god forbid women have hobbies

[@disableddragonborn]

I wish that after killing Raphael, you could move into the House of Hope. It's a nice looking place. Sure, it's cluttered with debtors, but they can be moved down to Hope's old prison.

[@atinity6749]

I always get shit for saying "hampster", so I feel very validated when someone else pronounces it that way too 😂

[@MultiSweetchocolate1]

Me sitting over here with Kar'niss, Dammon, Zevlor and Rolan.... my boys have never done any wrong in their lives! 😂😅

[@quacksupreme]

i can tell you haven't played as the dark urge the way you talk about orin and gortash

[@rosebulbasaur]

I wasn't considering a Durge playthrough but I may consider playing it now! Thank you!

[@Da_Chert]

YES, I asked for it 🎉 super hyped to watch

[@Cha0s1ncarnat3]

Danny: You're OC was the last of the half angel half demons that was also part dragon Slowly exits my playthough where I have modded in an asimar race so my durge is a literal Angel/demon draconic sorcerer

[@user-lj4et1ss9e]

0:04 Ohh!! This is my first time seeing a person wearing t-shirt with Korean writing on it.

[@gayandromeda]

im honestly surprised kar'niss, aradin, and rolan aren't on here. kar'niss is a wonderful monstrosity that would be fun to watch your interpretation of who likes him lol. rolan is a super magic nerd, and aradin is a bit of a d-bag. food for thought

[@princeLunais]

You can't call me out like this as being BOTH a switch and an Angeldust Kinnie/Alter, but you have me down to a T with the Harleep Accusations.

[@kerstinsweeney373]

Minsc has pittie energy. he's happy and stupid, has a lot of energy, and will attack if someone comes for you.

[@Sage_Of_Atlas]

I´ll stick to Shadowheart and Jaheira thank you pls. Also yes all of us do have parental trauma, very deeply so.